Thirty-Six Stratagems

第10计 笑里藏刀 信而安之，阴以图之。备而后动，勿使有变。刚中柔外也。 第11计 李代桃僵 势必有损，损阴以益阳。 第12计 顺手牵羊 微隙在所必乘，微利在所必得。少阴，少阳。

Strategy 10: Laughing Tiger – Trust and settle them while secretly plotting; move only after preparation, avoiding change; a hard core with a soft exterior. Strategy 11: Substitute the Peach for the Plums – When loss is inevitable, sacrifice the lesser to benefit the greater. Strategy 12: Steal from the Sheep – Exploit even the smallest opening and secure small gains; minimal risk yields minor reward.

For a reader today These ancient strategic principles offer timeless guidance on patience, careful preparation, and resourceful substitution when facing challenges or competition.

English translation by Eastern Lens, from the revised daizhige Chinese classics corpus. The original Chinese is published alongside it for verification.

第35计 连环计 将多兵众，不可以敌，使其自累，以杀其势。在师中吉，承天宠也。 第36计 走为上 全师避敌。左次无咎，未失常也。

Strategy 35: The Linked Rings Scheme – When you have many generals and troops but cannot withstand the enemy, force them to entangle themselves so as to break their momentum; auspicious results occur when leading an army, reflecting heaven's favor. Strategy 36: Retreat is the Upper Way – Preserve your entire force by avoiding the enemy; withdrawing to a secondary position causes no harm, for this does not deviate from the proper way.

For a reader today This text offers strategic principles on how to neutralize a superior force by exploiting its own momentum and emphasizes that temporarily retreating to preserve one's strength is a valid tactical choice, not a moral failure.

English translation by Eastern Lens, from the revised daizhige Chinese classics corpus. The original Chinese is published alongside it for verification.